Daycare Issue

I don't know what state your daycare is in or if this applies, but in Missouri, a child can only be in daycare for up to 9.5 hours a day, even though the daycare may be open from 7 to 6.

As far as the fever issue goes, it really depends on the daycare as to how they handle this situation. My firend's daycare always makes her get her kids even if their fevers are very low grade. At our center, they will give Tylenol for a low grade fever, if there are no other symptoms, especially if they suspect the fever is a symptom of teething.

During the cold and flu season, teachers are probably doing whatever they can to try to prevent children from getting sick, so while it may seem inconvenient to pick up your child early, it is probably best for everyone.

I think putting your child in daycare for 11 hours a day is a lot to ask of a 14 month old. Are there any other options for you to consider, such as a nanny or babysitter? Being around other kids like that for such an extended period of time she is bound to get sick. I have never worked in daycare but I can imagine that they get tired of wiping noses, caring for tired kids, etc. Plus they are very underpaid and they work long hours. A toddler might be much happier in a home day care, or at home with you or a nanny.

Are they using any other symptoms besides low grade fevers? Sometimes a child can have a fever just after nap time from being too warm, but the temp can go down rapidly. Also, how are they taking the temp? Maybe they are just being a little over zelous trying to keep all this stuff from spreading. It does get very tiring spending 50% of the day chasing down the runny noses. I know that my hands are dry and chapped from washing them literally 40+ times per day.

About the times.. Are they having a hard time getting enough help to have all the early AM kids? It sounds like you might just want to find a homecare situation where the provider can be more flexible with you hour wise and even a little more flexible with illnesses. I almost never send a child home for fever. By the time I Realize they are warm the day is half over usually. Because of the time of day, I usually suspect that they gave the child a fever reducer in the AM and it's just wore off. It's this behavior that causes all this stuff to spread so much. I can't prove that so I just isolate the sick ones and call and let the parent know they should not work late and if another parent or grandpart is home or coming home earlier than they are, they should have the child picked up. I know I do the best I can to keep from hurting any of my parents jobs. But I have to consider everyone, all the kids and my families.

I highly doubt they are just trying to get the kids to go home early to make their days easier. There's nothing easy about making these judgment calls, stopping everything to make the phone calls and worrying over the parents and how they feel about it. Haven't you ever taken your kid to the doctor just to have them be fine when you got there?! This is not really all that unheard of. But, you do need to do what will make things easier for you.

Suzi

I'd also talk to the director and state your concerns.
As for the hours, they may be open from 7-6, but remember that if your child is there more than 10 hours I believe they have to provide another full meal, which most do not, so they make a 10 hour limit to care.

If you feel that they are singling out some kids I would contact the person in charge of the daycare and talk to them.

Board of Directors of the Church!!??????? They probably don't care much about that. They are so far removed from what goes on in the day care, plus probably have much larger issues to deal with.

I would for sure contact the daycare director or the teachers themselves and say that some parents had addressed concerns and you just wanted to get their view on the situation. Maybe the other mom does send her kid when she shouldn't and she's angry they're calling her on it??? Talk to them!!

My church does not allow people to work in the church that do not attend our church. So I would go over the teacher since you are a member and voice your concerns. There should be a director over the church daycare along with Elders of the church that oversee the director. Thats the way our Moms Day Out program works at my church. I would definately check it out. The whole issue seems wrong!

Hey L.! Boy do I ever understand about daycare issues!!! I would say, though, if other moms are noticing these problems then you all need to confront the board. I understand that you don't wish to cause controversy, but if you don't mention it, you will continue to fester! I would suggest sitting down, writing your exact thoughts, and then going back through it to make it seem a little "softer." We recently finished a communications chapter in one of my college classes, and one thing they mentioned was try to turn "you" statements to"I" statements. For instance, instead of "You are not running this daycare properly" try saying something like "I feel like there are some things going on that are not proper." I know that doesn't seem too different, but it does actually make a difference in the direction of the conversation. Also, I would go ahead and try to contact other moms. There is proof and power in numbers. Good luck with this!! I truly feel your pain!

M.